Italian Restaurant Near You | Factory51, Coorparoo
When you search for an Italian restaurant near me in Brisbane, you want a specific answer: somewhere close, worth going to, and open tonight. Factory 51 is at 51 Holdsworth Street, Coorparoo – a short drive from most of Brisbane’s southside suburbs – and it has been the area’s go-to Italian restaurant since it opened. Fresh pasta made in-house, wood-fired pizza, a warm industrial space, and a kitchen that takes the food seriously. This page answers the questions people actually have when they’re looking for somewhere to eat right now.
What You’re Actually Looking For
A near-me search isn’t really about distance. It’s about confidence. You want to know the food is genuinely good, the venue has atmosphere, it’s not going to be a frustrating experience to get a table, and it’s somewhere you’d want to come back to. Factory 51 has been a fixture in Coorparoo long enough that most southside locals have either been or heard of it. The restaurant holds a loyal regular crowd, runs consistently across weeknights and weekends, and the same chefs who prepare the restaurant menu also run private dining and functions – so the standard doesn’t drop depending on how busy it is.
Pappardelle tossed with slow-braised lamb ragù – made fresh in-house daily.
What You Walk Into
Factory 51 is housed in a converted red-brick warehouse on Holdsworth Street. The space has exposed beams, warm lighting, polished concrete floors, and a laneway entry that gives it a feel slightly removed from the street. It’s not a sterile dining room or a loud, crowded trattoria. The atmosphere sits somewhere between relaxed and considered – good for a date, easy for a family dinner, comfortable for a group.
The restaurant side of the venue seats groups of varying sizes, with a mix of booth seating, long tables, and smaller settings. The Workshop, a private space at the rear, is used for functions and private dining and is separate from the main restaurant floor, so the two never interfere with each other.
What to Order
The menu is built around Italian staples done with genuine care. A few things stand out:
Pasta – Every pasta and gnocchi is made in-house. The team behind Factory 51 also runs VEDE Pasta, Queensland’s leading fresh pasta producer, which supplies restaurants across Brisbane. The pappardelle with slow-braised lamb ragù is one of the most ordered dishes. The cavatello with pork and fennel sausage ragù and the gnocchi with pancetta, truffle, and parmesan are both worth knowing about before you sit down.
Pizza – The dough is cold-fermented over several days, stretched by hand, and cooked in a wood-burning oven. The result is a thin, charred base with a proper crust – not the soft, uniform style you get at most pizza chains. The prosciutto with rocket and fior di latte and the Nutella pizza for dessert are both popular.
Antipasti – The fire-roasted octopus and the arancini are reliable starters. The share boards work well for groups who want to eat across a range before committing to mains.
Dessert – Tiramisu is made in-house. The Nutella pizza is better than it sounds – thin, lightly charred, finished tableside.
The menu changes seasonally, but the kitchen’s strengths stay consistent: fresh pasta, woodfired pizza, and Italian-inspired dishes using quality local and imported produce.
Hand-stretched, woodfired prosciutto pizza finished with rocket and shaved parmesan.
Getting Here
Factory 51 is at 51 Holdsworth Street, Coorparoo QLD 4151. The entrance is via the laneway off Holdsworth Street.
Parking – Parking is one of the easiest parts of visiting. The Coles supermarket car park is directly opposite the restaurant on Holdsworth Street, which means free, convenient parking right at the door. Street parking on Holdsworth Street and the surrounding side streets adds even more options. It’s genuinely one of the least stressful restaurant car park situations on the southside. Rideshare drop-off directly at the laneway entrance is also straightforward.
By public transport – Several bus routes service the Coorparoo area with stops on Old Cleveland Road, a short walk from the restaurant. The 160, 161, and 175 routes connect the CBD to Coorparoo.
From nearby suburbs – Factory 51 draws regularly from:
- Camp Hill – 5 minutes
- Greenslopes – 5 minutes
- Holland Park – 7 minutes
- Stones Corner – 5 minutes
- Woolloongabba – 8 minutes
- Tarragindi – 10 minutes
- Annerley – 8 minutes
- West End – 12 minutes
- Brisbane CBD – 12 minutes
If you’re searching for an Italian restaurant near any of these suburbs, Factory 51 in Coorparoo is your closest quality option on the southside.
Opening Hours and Bookings
Factory 51 is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
Tuesday – Thursday: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday: 5pm to 10pm
Saturday: 5pm to 10pm
Sunday: 5pm to 9pm
Monday: Closed
Bookings are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings and for groups of six or more. You can book online or by calling 07 3324 0844. Walk-ins are welcome and the team will always try to accommodate you – if the restaurant is full at your arrival time, they’ll take your number and call when a table opens up rather than turning you away at the door.
What Occasion Suits Factory 51
Date night – The atmosphere is warm without being loud or rushed. The menu has enough variety that you can share across several courses without it feeling like a production. Most couples stay for two to three hours. It books out on Friday and Saturday evenings, so plan ahead.
Family dinner – The pizza and pasta format is inherently shareable, and the staff are relaxed with groups that include kids. The space is large enough that a family group doesn’t feel cramped or out of place.
Midweek dinner – Tuesday through Thursday the restaurant is quieter, service is unhurried, and you’re likely to get a table without a booking. For people in the surrounding suburbs who want a proper dinner without the weekend crowd, weeknight visits have a different rhythm – easier, slower, and just as good for the food.
Group catch-up – The shared feast format – antipasti down the centre, pizza and pasta following – works well for groups of eight to twelve. For larger groups or a fully private experience, the Workshop space is available. See our private dining Brisbane page for more detail on that.
More Than a Restaurant
Factory 51 also operates as a function and event venue. If you’re planning something beyond a regular dinner – a birthday, an engagement, a corporate event, or a wedding – the Workshop space runs alongside the restaurant and is bookable separately. Visit the function venue Brisbane page for capacity, pricing, and format options.
For a broader look at the restaurant and what makes it different from other Italian options in Brisbane, the Italian restaurant Coorparoo page covers the venue’s background, its awards, and the kitchen philosophy in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Factory 51?
Factory 51 is at 51 Holdsworth Street, Coorparoo QLD 4151, on Brisbane’s southside. The entrance is via a laneway off Holdsworth Street. It’s a short drive from Camp Hill, Greenslopes, Holland Park, Stones Corner, and Woolloongabba.
Do I need a booking?
Bookings are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings and for groups of six or more. Weeknights are generally easier to walk into. You can book online or call 07 3324 0844. Walk-ins are always welcome subject to availability.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Thursday dinner from 5:00 pm. Friday dinner from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday, dinner from 5pm. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
Is the pasta made fresh?
Yes. All pasta and gnocchi is made in-house daily. The team behind Factory 51 also runs VEDE Pasta, Queensland’s leading fresh pasta producer, so the pasta quality is consistent and genuinely made from scratch.
Does Factory 51 have woodfired pizza?
Yes. The dough is cold-fermented, hand-stretched, and cooked in a wood-burning oven. The pizzas have a thin, charred base – noticeably different from most commercial pizza.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes – the Coles supermarket car park is directly opposite the restaurant on Holdsworth Street, making it one of the most convenient car park situations of any restaurant on the southside. Street parking on Holdsworth Street and surrounding side streets is also available. Rideshare drop-off at the laneway entrance is easy.
Can Factory 51 cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. The kitchen can accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian, and most dietary preferences. Let the team know when you book or on arrival and they’ll guide you through the options. Several dishes are naturally gluten-free or easily adjusted.
Does Factory 51 do private dining?
Yes. The Workshop, a private space at the rear of the venue, is available for exclusive-use events including birthday dinners, corporate events, and engagement celebrations. It seats up to 150 guests for a seated dinner and holds up to 180 for cocktail-style events. See the private dining Brisbane page for details.
Explore the Full Brisbane Italian Restaurant Guide
For a broader look at Italian dining in Brisbane – what to order, how Factory 51 compares, and what makes the southside restaurant scene different – visit the Italian Restaurant Brisbane guide.
Ready to Visit
Factory 51 is at 51 Holdsworth Street, Coorparoo – open Tuesday through Sunday, easy to get to from most southside suburbs, and worth booking ahead for weekends. For reservations, call 07 3324 0844 or book online. Walk-ins are always welcome.